Header image with Photo of Supervisor Pat Bates. Followed by office information
November 4, 2011

Pat Bates's Picture

Welcome to this edition of the Fifth District Report, an electronic newsletter keeping you updated about the events taking place in Orange County and in the Fifth District. It is my hope that you find this distribution informative and I would encourage you to contact me regarding any thoughts, comments, or concerns you may have.

PatBates@ocgov.com

IN THIS ISSUE...

1. IMPORTANT REMINDER

2. BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

3. TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

4. SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

5. HEALTH HERALD

6. SAFETY SENTRY

7. CRITTER CHRONICLES

8. ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

9. NOTES FROM THE FIELD

10. LIBRARY LAUREATE

11. FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

12. SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

13. FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

OUR STAFF...

Don Hughes:
Chief of Staff

Kristen Thornton:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Ray Grangoff:
Deputy Chief of Staff

Sergio Prince:
Policy Advisor

Sabrina Ross:
Policy Advisor

Brian Probolsky:
Policy Advisor

Ruth Strachan:
Office Manager

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Volume 5 Issue 43
IMPORTANT REMINDER

Fall Back: Daylight Saving Time Ends Sunday

When you go to bed Saturday night, don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour, as Daylight Saving Time ends this year at 2:00 AM, Sunday, November 6.

Also, when you change your clocks, please remember to change your smoke alarm batteries, too!

BOARD BULLETIN BOARD

No Board Meeting This Week

There was not a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Supervisors this week. To view the Board meeting schedule for 2011, please click here.

Our next Board meeting will be held Tuesday, November 8. For Agenda & Meeting Information, please click here.

Live Internet broadcasts of Board of Supervisors meetings can be viewed online and are archived as video-on-demand. To view live and/or past Board meetings, please click here.

TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION

$4.7 Million for Special Needs Transportation Assistance

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors last week approved $4.7 million in funding for the Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) program administered by the Federal Transit Administration.

The JARC grant program provides an opportunity for local agencies, non-profit organizations, and transportation providers to meet special employment-related transportation needs of persons of low income. As the designated grant recipient, OCTA is responsible for competitively allocating funds. To that end, OCTA released a competitive call for projects in June.

Based on evaluations of applications, the OCTA Board approved funding for five new programs, including $3.9 million for Vocational Visions of Mission Viejo to implement a new transportation service. Project applications estimate more than 445,000 trips will be provided and more than 2,900 individuals will receive grant-funded services.

These new grants will be part of ten existing grant programs initiated in 2009 under both the JARC and Federal New Freedom programs that provide funding to support transportation services for seniors and persons with disabilities. OCTA administers more than $12.8 million in federal grant funding under the JARC and New Freedom Programs.

Transit System Study Update

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) has completed a comprehensive transit study, designed to find more efficient, cost-effective, and sustainable ways to operate transit services in Orange County.

Last week, the OCTA Board of Directors preliminarily reviewed the recommendations, including substantial changes to fixed-route service as well as proposed pilot projects to allow testing of faster and more cost-effective services.

To that end, the OCTA Board directed staff return in 90 days with implementation plans for pilot projects contingent on Board review and approval.

To view the staff report, please click here.

Orange County Jobs Now Progress Report

As a follow-up to the Orange County Transportation Authority’s (OCTA) successful Orange County Jobs Now Summit held in September, OCTA has prepared the first of what will be quarterly progress reports on the agency’s progress in delivering jobs.

The First Quarter Progress Report shows $86 million in public funds was invested in Orange County transportation improvement projects during the first quarter of fiscal year 2011-2012. These dollars came from Measure M2 and other state and federal funds.

We know transportation infrastructure projects put people back to work. Through this expenditure, more than 1,500 jobs were created or sustained, as OCTA is committed to accelerating transportation infrastructure projects to help put people to work.

To view the First Quarter Progress Report, click here.

OCTA Kicks Off Holiday Season with Jingle Pass & Food Drive

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) is offering an unlimited-use bus pass this holiday season to get riders where they need to go for half the cost.

The Jingle Pass is being sold for $39.99 and is valid November 15 through December 31 on all local OCTA buses. Quantities are limited and there is a maximum of two passes per household.

In addition, OCTA is teaming up with the Second Harvest Food Bank to fill buses with non-perishable food at malls throughout the County from November 3 through 7.

Be sure to enter for a chance to win a free Jingle Pass when donating a minimum of five non-perishable food items to the Second Harvest Food Bank during the food drive. No glass containers or expired items please.

For more information, please click here and here.
SOUTH COUNTY NEWS

Free Health and Social Services for South County's Homeless

Illumination Foundation is coordinating the second annual Sun Fair Health and Fitness Expo at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in San Clemente to provide FREE medical care, eye exams and glasses, dental screenings and social services to South County’s underserved, homeless community.

The Health Expo – Sunday, November 13 from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM – is FREE and open to the public. For more information, please click here and here.
HEALTH HERALD

Health Care Agency Reports County's First Case of Influenza

The Orange County Health Care Agency (HCA) has confirmed the first case of influenza in the County, signaling flu season is here. The best way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. Flu vaccine is especially important for infants, young children, pregnant women, adults over 50, and for those with chronic medical conditions.

To that end, HCA is offering free seasonal influenza vaccinations for people 6 months of age and older who do not have a medical provider or health insurance coverage on a walk-in basis every Tuesday, beginning November 1 from 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM, and 1:30 PM to 4:00 PM at the Public Health Clinic located at 1725 West 17th Street, Santa Ana, CA 92701.

For more information, please click here.
SAFETY SENTRY

First Nationwide Test of Emergency Alert System (EAS)

The Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will initiate a nationwide Emergency Alert System (EAS) test on Wednesday, November 9 at 11:00 AM. The three and half minute “live” EAS test will be transmitted to broadcast, cable, and satellite radio and television stations throughout California.

For more information, please click here and here.
CRITTER CHRONICLES

OC Animal Care Helps Shelter Pets Stay Cool

After receiving approval from the Board of Supervisors as part of the annual budget process, a new misting system was recently installed at the OC Animal Shelter to keep shelter pets and visitors cool during periods of hot weather.

The new system is similar to misters seen at local amusement parks or restaurants, but is specially configured to fit into the outdoor kennels used by animals at the facility. The outdoor cooling system emits a fine mist via specialized high pressure misting nozzles that are perfectly sized for evaporation. When evaporation occurs, temperatures drop.

The state-of-the-art system was installed in more than 400 outdoor kennels and several large cat enclosures. Although the outdoor kennels already have a shady area for pets to escape the heat, visitors can now rest assured that the misting system will provide even more comfort for shelter pets.

What is also particularly beneficial for OC Animal Care is that the Kool Fog system is transferable, meaning the system is capable of being relocated to a new facility. OC Animal Care is also happy to provide a personal demonstration of the system.

To view photos of the Kool Fog system at the OC Animal Shelter, please click here.

Meet Your Mature Match at OC Animal Care

Visit OC Animal Care on Saturday, November 5 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM for the 3rd Annual "Meet Your Mature Match" event. Adoption fees will be reduced if you take home a forever friend aged 3 years or older.

For more information, please click here.

ENVIRONMENTAL MEMOS

Orange County CUPA Connection

CUPA is an acronym for “Certified Unified Program Agency.” What that means is Orange County Environmental Health has been certified by the California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA) to coordinate the regulation of six environmental programs for all of Orange County with the exception of Anaheim, which is its own CUPA.

Environmental programs include:
  • Hazardous Waste
  • Underground Storage Tanks
  • Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tanks
  • Hazardous Materials Disclosure
  • Business Plan
  • California Accidental Release Prevention Program (CalARP)
County and City Fire Agencies in Orange County have joined the CUPA as Participating Agencies, forming a partnership within the County’s Unified Program. In most cities, Environmental Health administers the Hazardous Waste, Underground Storage Tank and Aboveground Petroleum Storage Tank programs while the Fire Agencies generally administer Hazardous Materials Disclosure, Business Plan and CalARP with some exceptions.

In this edition of CUPA Connection, it is our hope that you benefit from keeping updated on some exciting new changes in some of the regulated programs as well as learn from outstanding businesses, as we spotlight one of our regulated businesses.

To view the 22nd volume of Orange County’s CUPA Connection, please click here.
NOTES FROM THE FIELD

Nix Nature Center: American Indian Stories, Toys & Games

Join OC Parks and the Laguna Canyon Foundation at Laguna Coast Wilderness Park on Saturday, November 12 from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM for a special Weekend at the Nix Nature Center, featuring American Indian Stories, Toys and Games.

Make your own American Indian toys and games to take home or give as gifts for the holidays! This amazing event will be fun for the entire family. Space is limited, so sign up today!

For more information, please click here.

Doheny State Beach Update

The Doheny State Beach Interpretive Association (DSBIA) has released its monthly DOHENY UPDATE to inform the public about special events as well as current conditions at the State Park.

The DSBIA newsletter reports Doheny State Beach will be closed to camping and day-use Monday, November 7 through Sunday, November 13. Beach-users may walk into the park, but there will be no running water or restroom facilities available, as major work is needed on the sewage vaults.

To view the DSBIA November newsletter, please click here.
LIBRARY LAUREATE

Monthly Teen Contest: OC Voices & Visions

Orange County teens (ages 12 to 18) are invited to enter their creative works in a contest sponsored by OC Public Libraries (OCPL). OC Voices & Visions showcases works of prose, poetry, art and film. A new theme is announced at the beginning of each month, with entries due by the last day of the month.

The theme for the month of November is “Pets.” All entries must relate to the theme and will be judged in part on the teen’s interpretation. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of librarians.

Teens may enter only one work per category each month but may enter in more than one category. Entries must be the teen’s original work, using only non-copyrighted materials in their production. They must also have a valid OCPL card to enter.

Winners of the November contest will be posted on the Voices & Visions website in January 2012. For more information, please click here.

FIFTH DISTRICT SPOTLIGHT

ANHS Marching Band Wins 1st Place at Tournament

The Aliso Niguel High School (ANHS) Marching Band, Drum Line, and Color Guard won first place at the Poway High School Field Show Tournament last month. The Band took first place in the 3A division over 16 schools.

In their victory, the performers won the High Music, High General Effect, High Visual, High Percussion and High Color Guard competitions. The Percussion and Color Guard sections also won the sweepstakes award in their category, defeating 25 bands in six divisions.
SOUTH COUNTY CALENDAR

Laguna Beach: Homeless in Paradise

Laguna Beach is pleased to present an exhibition titled “Homeless in Paradise.” There will be a public reception for Homeless in Paradise on Saturday, November 5 at 5:30 PM. The exhibition is presented in support of the City’s participation in National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week. For more information, please click here.

San Clemente: Senior Center Grand Opening

The public is invited to attend the grand opening of the new Dorothy Visser Senior Center of San Clemente on Thursday, November 10 from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Tours of the facility will be provided and people will be on hand to talk to about services and classes offered at the center. For more information, please click here and here.

Dana Point: 34th Annual Turkey Trot

The 34th Annual Dana Point Turkey Trot on Thursday, November 24 is fast approaching. Named one of America’s best Thanksgiving Day runs, the 2011 Dana Point Turkey Trot will unveil a wide array of race enhancements and is expected to be the biggest and best race to date! For more information, please click here and here.
FIFTH DISTRICT WRAP-UP

In addition to my many meetings, briefings, and other supervisorial activities, I also:
  • Participated in the OC Veterans Celebration at the Old County Courthouse.
  • Received a briefing on the Orange County Stormwater Public Education Program.
  • Participated in the Human Resources Department Audit Ad Hoc Subcommittee meeting.
  • Participated in the California Association of LAFCOs (CALAFCO) Board of Directors meeting.
  • Presented a Transportation Project Update at the Fifth District OCTA Leadership Forum.
  • Chaired the OCTA Environmental Oversight Committee meeting to discuss environmental restoration project proposals.
  • Met with South Orange County Wastewater Authority (SOCWA) representatives to discuss Aliso Creek restoration issues.
My office also:
  • Attended the Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Committee meeting.
  • Provided a certificate of recognition in honor of Richard Blatman, who was named Honoree of the Month by the Historical Society of Laguna Woods.
  • Provided a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony of Resurrected Salon in San Juan Capistrano.
  • Provided a certificate of recognition in honor of the ribbon cutting ceremony of Cindy Carter Photography in Laguna Niguel.
My staff and I look forward to continually providing you updated information in our Fifth District Newsletter and website.

Please feel free to contact my office with your concerns, comments or questions at (714) 834-3550. It is an honor and a privilege to serve as your Supervisor for Orange County's Fabulous Fifth District.

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